Heavy landings of Stolephorus devisi by shore seines along Madras coast

Abstract

A report on unusual heavy landing of Stolephorus devisi in shore-seines operated during March, 1986 along the landing centres from Kottivakkamkuppam to Oyyalikuppam south of Mahabalipuram, southern side of Madras. The catch ranged from 350- 1,750 kg per unit per haul. On random sampling and analysis of gut contents and plankton of Kovalam bay it is assumed that such heavy landings were due to the presence of its favourite food along the coastal areas.